Rath Yatra proceeds peacefully in Surat

Surat, July 04 Amid tight security arrangements, the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra passed off peacefully in the city on Friday. Over 5,000 devotees participated in it. There was, however, a minor stone pelting incident in Varachha over the ongoing agitation by the diamond workers.

The Yatra organised by the ISKCON started from the Surat railway station in the afternoon. Thousands of devotees were seen singing devotional songs and queuing up to pull the chariot, while temple volunteers distributed sweets among the devotees.

The Yatra covered the main city areas like Ring Road, Udhna Darwaja, Majuragate, Athwagate and ultimately culminated at Jehangirpura in Rander area in the evening. Luckily for the people, it did not rain during the procession.

Other yatras were also taken out from Godiya Bawa Temple at Mahidharpura, Lanka Vijay Hanuman Temple at Amroli, Jagannath temple at Pandesara, Jain Shwetambar Gopipura Sangh and Sagar Shanti Vikas Mandal.

The police worked constantly to maintain law and order, and managed the traffic. Voluntary organisations came forward to help them.